Riads, kasbahs and hotels
Traditional houses with private room and bathroom, in the medinas or overlooking the valley.
- Private room
- Dinner and breakfast
5 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour
5 days from Marrakech to Fez via the desert
Five short stages to savour the south: kasbahs, roses, gorges and a whole day among the dunes before reaching Fez.
From €300 per person Book now
Highlights
- Ait Benhaddou
- Ouarzazate
- Skoura oasis
- Valley of Roses
- Todra Gorges
- Khamlia and Rissani
- Camel trekking
- Night in the dunes
- Azrou cedars
Trip overview
If the idea of spending many hours at a stretch in the car does not appeal, this is your route from Marrakech to Fez. It covers the same ground as the shorter versions but is split into five days, with a first night in Ouarzazate that lets you visit Ait Benhaddou without watching the clock.
The second day is devoted to the oases — Skoura, the Valley of Roses, the Dades — and the third to the Todra Gorges. You stay two nights in Merzouga, with a full day to explore the surroundings of Erg Chebbi, before heading up to Fez through the Ziz Valley.
Ideal for: travellers who value a calm pace, families and those who want to step inside kasbahs and villages rather than watch them go by.
- Duration
- 5 days / 4 nights
- Home
- Marrakech
- End
- Fez
- Type
- Private
- Departures
- Every day
- Language
- English / Spanish
Day-by-day itinerary
-
Day1
Marrakech → Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou → Ouarzazate
We leave your riad at 8 am and climb to the Tizi n’Tichka (2,260 m), enjoying the views over the High Atlas. We give much of the day to Ait Benhaddou, exploring it unhurriedly and having lunch facing the ksar. In the afternoon we reach Ouarzazate, with time to see the Taourirt Kasbah from outside or the film studios.
- Tizi n’Tichka
- Relaxed visit to Ait Benhaddou
- Taourirt Kasbah
- Film studios (optional)
-
Day2
Ouarzazate → Skoura → Valley of Roses → Dades Gorges
First stop at the Skoura palm grove to visit the Amridil Kasbah, one of the best preserved in the country. We continue to Kelaat M’Gouna, where rose water is distilled, and drive up the Dades among fig trees, walnut trees and red rock walls.
- Amridil Kasbah
- Skoura palm grove
- Rose cooperatives of Kelaat M’Gouna
- Dades Gorges
-
Day3
Dades Gorges → Todra Gorges → Merzouga
We head for the Todra Gorges, a gigantic fault rising 300 metres above a narrow valley full of palm trees and mud-brick villages. After the walk we continue to Erfoud and Merzouga, arriving in time to watch the sun go down from the hotel terrace.
- Walk in the Todra
- Tinghir palm grove
- Erfoud
- Sunset facing the dunes
-
Day4
Merzouga → Khamlia → Rissani → Night in the dunes
Today we discover the surroundings of Erg Chebbi. In Khamlia we listen to Gnawa music; in Rissani we stroll through the souk — one of the most authentic in the south, especially on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays — and try medfouna, the “Berber pizza”. In the afternoon, a camel trek to the camp to spend the night among the dunes.
- Gnawa music in Khamlia
- Rissani souk
- Medfouna for lunch
- Sunset caravan
- Campfire and stars
-
Day5
Merzouga → Midelt → Azrou → Fez
Sunrise, breakfast and the road north. The Ziz Valley, Midelt and the Zad pass mark the change from desert to mountain. In the Azrou cedar forest we stop to see the macaques before descending to Fez.
- Sunrise in the desert
- Ziz Valley
- Midelt
- Azrou macaques
Timings and the order of visits may be adjusted according to the season, road conditions and your preferences.
What’s included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- English- or Spanish-speaking driver-guide
- Fuel
- Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation
- Accommodation every night
- Dinners and breakfasts
- One camel per person in the desert
- Night in a camp with private tent
- Turban and sandboarding in the dunes
- Photo stops whenever you like
What’s not included
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Entrance fees to monuments
- Tips
Accommodation
We choose small places with character, where a home-cooked dinner is part of the experience. In the desert you can choose between two types of camp.
Standard camp
Private tent with beds, blankets and shared bathrooms. The simplest and most authentic option.
- Private tent
- Dinner and breakfast
- Campfire and drums
Luxury camp
Spacious tents with a large bed, private bathroom and shower, electricity and dinner served at the table.
- Private bathroom
- Dinner and breakfast
- Campfire and drums
A tip from our team
If you travel between mid-April and mid-May you will catch the blossom in the Valley of Roses; the Kelaat M’Gouna festival is usually held in May.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a private tour or a group tour?
It is completely private: the vehicle, the driver and the itinerary are just for you and your companions. You will not share the trip with strangers, so we can stop wherever you like and adapt the timings.
Can I change the itinerary of “5 days from Marrakech to Fez via the desert”?
Yes. What you see is our standard proposal. We can add a night, change the start or end point, include a guided visit or adjust the stages to your flights. Tell us what you need and we will send you a tailor-made version.
What is the difference between the standard and the luxury camp?
In both you have a private tent, dinner, breakfast and an evening of drums by the campfire. The luxury camp adds a private bathroom with shower inside the tent and more refined décor; in the standard camp bathrooms are shared and you shower in the morning at the hotel in the village.
How long is the camel trek?
About an hour and a half each way, at a gentle pace and accompanied by a camel handler. We set off a couple of hours before sunset to arrive in good light. If anyone cannot or would rather not ride, let us know and we will find an alternative.
How do I book and how do I pay?
Send us the form or write to us and we will confirm availability and the final price within 24 hours. We accept online payment (Visa, MasterCard and PayPal), as well as cash or card in person.
When is the best time of year for this tour?
You can travel all year round. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) have the mildest temperatures. In winter the days are sunny but desert nights are cold, and in summer it is best to start early and make the most of the vehicle’s air conditioning.
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